Things got worse for the Washington Nationals Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies.
During the eighth inning and a 4-4 tie, NL MVP candidate Bryce Harper and closer Jonathan Papelbon engaged in a brawl in the Nationals dugout while cameras showed Papelbon going for Harper’s throat.
The incident apparently was a result of Harper not running out a fly ball that Papelbon took exception too as the Nationals outfielder made his way back to the dugout. From there words were exchanged with Papelbon eventually lunging at Harper with his hands to Harper’s throat.
Jonathan Papelbon & Bryce Harper Fight in Nationals Dugout pic.twitter.com/PO9kvSYmev
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) September 27, 2015
Papelbon's expression about 15 seconds after the fight was broken up. pic.twitter.com/JMl3Nh1cPm
— Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot) September 27, 2015
After the incident, Harper was taken out of the game while Papelbon went on to give up the go ahead run the very next inning which was further salt on the wounds of Nationals fans everywhere who were officially eliminated from playoff contention Saturday.
This too further capped off one of the most disappointing seasons in baseball history.